I have 300-400 to spend on upgrading my sound system

[MikeBuzzsaw]

At the moment I have 300-400 dollars to spend on to upgrade my sound system. Do you think this is enough to get better sound coming from my speaker (non-jbl)? What is the best upgrade for that would be most effective with the money I'm willing to spend?

[Hans Moleman]

I was able to buy kenwood in dash dvd reciver and alpine speakers fora total $450. Of course though I had to piece everything together from Ebay. And it sounds sound so much better than the stock system

[TrdTacoma84]

I paid 400 for my components lol. Good luck with that budget. If ur going to do it right the first time. Save up some more. Get it done right the first time.

[jacksnodgrass]

I'm not a audiophile nutt or some kid that can plonk
down 1K for an amp and speakers ( my wife and kids
spend most of my disposable income ) I wanted to
upgrade my stero because
1) It doesn't play MP3s and that's all I listen to
and
2) it just wasn't loud enough. I do 90% freeway
driving and I want it lound and pounding. If the
mirrors aren't vibrating, it's not loud enough.

So I got a Scosche double din dash kit and used
that with a JVC MP3/DVD/USB head unit. It is
reated at 20W X 4 (RMS) and can make the
stock speakers pound the doors and mirrors.
I have a 7" LCD monitor waiting for me at the
house. I'll install that this weekend and fill the
hole that's currently in the dash kit.

I may upgrade the speakers later but for now,
I'm going to go with this setup.

So for me... a new HU is the ticket. It fills all my
needs. For others that have younger ears than me,
new speakers might be the ticket. It really depends
on what your trying to accomplish.

jack

[jhobo4]

If I replace my HU do I have to replace the din? I really want to keep the silver din.

[jacksnodgrass]

Originally Posted by jhobo4

If I replace my HU do I have to replace the din? I really want to keep the silver din.

Yes. Take a look at my installation.

not super clean..... but for $350... it's acceptable.....


and ( if anyone cares... the bezel is missing from the
next picture... it's in place on the first one. Just took
the pictures out of sequence and put the bezel on later.



This is the silver scosche, double din kit. The silver color is 'close' to the factory color.
It doesn't have the dimples that the OEM HU has. It's ok..... there is also a black one...
if you get one... make sure you get the color you want.

I found this kit and the toyota wire harness for something like $33 including shipping.

[jhobo4]

jacksnodgrass, where did you get the din? Tacotunes?

[jacksnodgrass]

Originally Posted by jhobo4

jacksnodgrass, where did you get the din? Tacotunes?

I got it ( and the wiring harness ) here...
http://www.sjgreatdeals.com/sista2053b.html

I ordered black ( $10 cheaper than the silver ) but I got the silver.
I didn't complain. I could have lived with black... am glad I got
silver.


jack

[DoubleDecker]

A good h/u + speakers will definetely get you good sound, but another option is to just replace the speakers and try and maximize the performance by soundproofing: http://toyotanation.com/forum/t129970.html

I wanted to keep the stock h/u to keep the changer, steering wheel controls, and prevent any future break-ins. It doesnt sound as good as it could with an aftermarket h/u, but it def. kicked up the sound quality and increased bass+treble. So far I'm happy with it.

[bunsojr]

You can keep the changer and steering wheel controls if you go with eclipse. They design stuff for toyota, so it will be plug and play basically. I actually went with a kenwood ddx-7017. its a double-din dvd/cd player, added a tv-tuner, an ipod adapter, and maybe nav later. it looks great with the silver scosche dash kit, almost stock.